A Newcastle councillor has come under fire after agreeing to share the stage with a man described as having ‘more than 20 years’ of history with Islamic extremists.

Councillor Dipu Ahad is one of the speakers at ‘Not a terrorist until proven...Muslim’ which takes place at the Royal Station Hotel, in Newcastle, on Wednesday, alongside former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg, and activist Yvonne Ridley.

Mr Begg was imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay and in 2014 was cleared of a string of terrorism charges but is said to have links to extremist groups dating back around 20 years.

The Elswick councillor has come under fire from the leader of Newcastle’s Liberal Democrat group for sharing a platform with Mr Begg, a director of Cage - a group which states it ‘highlights and campaigns against state policies, striving for a world free from oppression and injustice’.

Coun Ahad last year wrote to a judge supporting EDL member Anthony Webster, of West Road, who was jailed for 21 months after running riot in Birmingham in 2014.

Liberal Democrat leader Anita Lower expressed concerns about Coun Ahad’s appearance and said even though he is not appearing in his official capacity he should think carefully about any involvement.

Coun Ahad said: “The Liberal Democrats are the ones who talk about commitment to free speech.

“If they can do that then I’d like to know what’s wrong with me speaking on a platform with Moazzam Begg.

“Moazzam Begg was unjustly detained in Guantanamo Bay, he was unjustly arrested on terror charges.

“We are going to be talking about Islamophobia on all levels and Isis.

“The Lib Dems filed a motion calling for free speech but what is this?”

“I will share a platform with anyone, it’s important to show compassion.”

Councillor Anita Lower

Coun Ahad said the Lib Dem group made no complaints when he wrote to the judge in Webster’s defence.

The event has come under fire from a number of groups - including former EDL member Tommy Robinson, who accused Coun Ahad of ‘showing his true colours’ for taking part in the talks and it is understood a number of calls have been made for the event to be cancelled.

Coun Lower said the Lib Dem group was concerned due to Cage’s track record and concerns raised about the group’s work to undermine the government’s anti-extremism policies.

She added: “It’s about what the general public think and feel.

“I don’t think a lot of people would feel comfortable that their elected representative is taking part in this.

“He might say he’s not appearing as a councillor but if I robber £1m from the Post Office and said it doesn’t affect my ability to be a councillor it wouldn’t work.

“It is a fine line and as a councillor you are represented to elect everyone in the city.”

The event takes place in Newcastle’s Royal Station Hotel on Wednesday night.